Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey - Season 2 (DVD, 2012, 3-Disc Set)

The saga continues in the Second Year of this great British drama. We become embroiled in WWI and see scenes of a very real war front.

No one is exempt from the war--both servants and royalty are drawn into it with a sense of loyalty to the Crown. Our hero from the first season, Matthew Crawley (Dan Stevens), of course, is an officer. Two of the servants from Downton become his assistants--Thomas and William. We sit on the edge of our seats hoping that they will make it through unscathed, as we actually care what happens to them.

Meanwhile, back at the home front, even the royals become involved in the war effort. Daughter Sybil becomes a nurse in a hospital treating the wounded. Daughter Edith learns to drive and goes to work on a farm. Eventually, Downtown Abbey starts housing the wounded as they recover much to the chagrin of Dowager Countess Violet (Maggie Smith). She continues to steal every scene that she is in.

The romance between Mary (Michelle Dockery) and Matthew (Dan Stevens) becomes even more complicated as he proposes to a Londoner Lavinia Swire, and Mary retaliates by doing the same with a pre-Photoplay gossip magazine publisher--Sir Richard Carlisle.

And the downstairs romance between Anna (Joanne Froggatt) and John Bates (Brendan Coyle) continues as his estranged wife makes her ugly appearance and really stirs things up.

We actually hate footman Thomas as he wrangles his way out of serving in the war and then works his way to becoming Carson's boss. And we actually detest O'Brien, Lady Crawley's maid, who is constantly making choices that get other people in trouble.

We are just as entranced with this dvd as we were with the first. Beautifully photographed and marvelously scored, it is just as good as the initial series.

Now we await Series Three.

You will not be disappointed with either of these dvds.

Season 2 of Downton Abbey is British television at its best. The story is about a family of British aristocrats and their staff of servants, maids, and cooks during the early 1900's. The cast is excellent as are the costumes, settings and script. The PBS dvd set for Season 2 is an excellent 3 disc set with all Season 2 episodes, including Christmas at Downton Abbey.

The PBS Season 1 dvd set was also superb and my wife and I are eagerly waiting Season 3, which is due to be released this fall (2012). I read that the cast for Season 3 is to include Shirley McLaine as the opposition to grand dame Maggie Smith, which ought to be quite entertaining and something to look forward to.

The Downton Abbey Season 2 DVD set I purchased was the original BBC set--probably a gift for financially supporting public television-- and in unopened condition. Needless to say, I was absolutely delighted to receive it, and in a timely manner, too. after watching season 1 on netflix, I was very anxious to continue the saga with season 2. Downton Abbey is, in my opinion, destined to become a great and continuing success for PBS and I look forward to season 3,4,5......

I got hooked on Downton Abbey Season 3 on TV and had to have Season 1 and 2. I found Season 1 at Walmart at a great price and finally got lucky enough to get Season 2 on ebay also at a great price. This is a wonderful series that I could hardly stop watching once I put the first disc into the DVD player. I couldn't wait to see what would happen in the next episode. If you purchase this, I can promise you won't be disappointed. Wonderfully entertaining. Eagerly anticipating Season 4 on PBS.

Even though "Downton Abbey," has received much critical acclaim, I had not heard about the series when I originally bought Season 1 at a local store. I made that purchase because I enjoy period pieces like Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Emma, and Gosford Park. I recognized many of the actors in the cast, from other movies, and knew they delivered great performances. As soon as I finished season 1, I wanted to see season 2. I purchased the second season on ebay, because it was less than half the cost of buying it locally. Julian Fellowes' Downton Abbey, seasons 1 & 2, are that perfect combination of great writing (wonderful plots, subplots and character development), great acting performances, directing, costuming, and location.
The period piece is set in an English estate just prior to World War 1. It follows the everyday lives of Lord Grantham's family, and those that serve them in the manor. It is throughly entertaining. If you enjoy a wonderful story that covers a full range of human experiences, performed by an amazing cast, then you may find yourself very caught up in the story of those that live at Downton Abbey.
There is nothing I do not like about this Masterpiece Classic, except that season 3 is not yet available. It has not been released. So everyone who enjoys this series will have to wait to see what happens next.
I would buy this product again. Actually, I am buying it again in the near future as a Christmas gift for someone who enjoys the same type of entertainment that I do.